Stephen King’s novel The Shining was adapted into Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film The Shining.
King’s 1977 novel follows Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny after they move into the isolated Overlook Hotel, where Jack works as winter caretaker. The hotel’s supernatural history and Danny’s psychic ability, known as the shining, drive the story. Kubrick’s film uses the same basic premise but changes several characters, events, and emphases.
King was publicly critical of Kubrick’s adaptation, particularly its portrayal of Jack and Wendy. In the novel, Jack’s struggle with alcoholism and his efforts to protect his family receive more attention; the film presents a colder and more immediately threatening version of him. The 1980 movie starred Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, and Danny Lloyd.
The Shining became highly influential despite mixed initial reviews. Its symmetrical compositions, maze imagery, long corridors, and use of the Steadicam helped define its visual identity. The later novel Doctor Sleep continues Danny Torrance’s story, but it was not the source of Kubrick’s film.